Really Good Conversations

Amy Faulkner
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In our hyperconnected world, it feels like we are becoming more disconnected than ever, so we are on a mission to bring people together through conversation. Welcome to 'The Really Good Conversations Podcast', where we delve into the minds of the wonderful people and businesses we have met in the processes of launching our card game. We will be uncovering their secrets, learning about their biggest mistakes, and sharing the key lessons they have taken from it all. So, if you're looking for an engaging chinwag mixed with business insights and a good pinch of fun, you're in the right place. Let's have a really good conversation...

  1. 23 MAR

    What Happens After a $47M Exit? Phillip Di Bella on What Success Really Is

    Summary Phillip Di Bella built one of Australia's most successful coffee businesses, and sold it for $47 million. In this episode, we find what it actually felt like the day after he sold, how his definition of success has changed over the years, and what the next generation needs to hear about work and leadership.  This isn't just a story about building and selling a business, it's about what success really costs, and what's actually worth chasing. Guest Phillip Di Bella is an Australian entrepreneur and founder of Di Bella Coffee and The Coffee Commune. He is also a mentor, speaker and advocate for innovation and collaboration in the hospitality industry. Overview Phillip Di Bella is the founder of Di Bella Coffee, which he launched in Brisbane in 2002 with just $5,000 and scaled into one of Australia's largest specialty coffee brands. After selling the business for $47 million, Phillip could have stepped away. Instead, he doubled down on building community, mentoring entrepreneurs, and reshaping what success looks like. In this episode of Really Good Conversations, Phillip shares the emotional impact of selling a business with your name on it, the cost of relentless growth, and how he lost 80kg to take his life back after burnout. He challenges the hype around startup exits, investment culture, and the "get rich quick" narrative flooding social media. You'll hear his views on leadership, resilience, and what today's business owners need to understand about patience, failure, and building something that lasts.   Key takeaways What it really felt like to sell a business for $47 million and why Phillip asked for the cheque, not a bank transfer The personal cost of growth: burnout, weight gain, and what he changed after the exit Phillip's definition of success today and why it has nothing to do with status or stuff Why the next generation is being sold the wrong version of ambition Startup myths, VC hype, and what founders should focus on before chasing investment The importance of meaningful conversations, with others, and with yourself The one piece of advice that changed the direction of Phillip's life   For more information: The Coffee Commune https://www.coffeecommune.com.au/ Private Coffee Collection https://privatecollection.coffee/     Transcript  Welcome to the Really Good Conversations podcast. Today I am joined by Phillip Di Bella, entrepreneur, mentor, and one of the most recognised names in Australian coffee. He started Di Bella Coffee in 2002 with just $5,000 and built it into Australia's largest specialty coffee brand, later selling it for $47 million. He's done what many dream of, but instead of stepping away, he stayed active, launching the Coffee Commune and mentoring the next generation. In this episode, we unpack what really drives him and what future game changers need to hear. Welcome to the podcast, Phillip!    Phillip (01:09) Thanks for having me.   Amy (01:27) Thank you so much for giving us your time today, because I'm really excited about this conversation. And as I've mentioned to you offline is, you know, to tap into a little bit of behind the scenes, a bit more of your brain and what makes you tick from the journey that you have been on. Because ultimately you have done something that, you know, many people are striving to do in business, launch a product, build a business, sell it, sell it for millions and sail off into the sunset on a mega yacht, never needing to work again.    Phillip (01:43) If only.   Amy (01:53) And you haven't exactly done the latter part, but what I wanted to tap into, because I think people, whether they do start something with that end in mind and if it is the selling or whatever. But if you could take us back to 2014 for just a moment when you did sell the business, how did that actually feel when that went through, that sale, for you? What was it almost like, the next day, to realise that is something you've exited?   Phillip (02:09) It's a sign of relief, it really is. I think it's a combination of emotions. You know, a bit of anxiety kicks in, the unknown territory, a bit of disappointment, you know, you're handing over the keys to something that you've built from scratch. But ultimately, when you look at it and you go, hey, I've been able to build something quite remarkable, I've been able to look after people along the way. I've been able to, obviously now I can set my family up, which was very important with me being, my background being Italian, to set my kids up and take some money off the table because since 2002 right till you sell, you've got an amount of risk. You've got money on the line, you've got debts, you've got all sorts of stuff. So relief is probably, if you said sum it up in one word, relief.    Business is relentless. It's even more relentless today than what it was in 2014, and we can sure unpack that. But because business is relentless when you're an owner and people say, what hours do you work? Well, you never stop working when you own a business. And it doesn't matter whether it's a micro business or a medium business or a small business or a large business, an owner of a business never stops working. The brain's always ticking and it is relentless. I'll keep saying that word. And so in summary, the one word that sums it all up when you finally exit and you know, and I, they wanted to direct debit the money into my account. And I said, no, I want the traditional checks. So I made them present checks and I took a photo of them on the table and you know, it was a bit of old school. The first thing that came to mind was relief. Relief because I was able to set my family up, set myself up and it was a validation of, you know, taking a punt, going out into a challenging world of coffee in 2002 with 2000 competitors, several of them billion dollar companies, several hundred million dollar companies, us being a startup with 5000k. Then growing to be Australia's largest specialty coffee company, which means, you know, it's manufacturing and supplying only into cafes, is that concept of specialty coffee. We had 11 % market share of supply into cafes, which gives you an idea of size. We built a prolific brand, we had an amazing team. It was just relief.   Amy (04:21) And were there any points through the actual journey that stand out of times of just thinking, I don't know if I want to keep doing this? You know, some of my friends and fellow business owners, we're often talking and voice noting being like, what are we doing? Why did we choose this path? Maybe we'll just go get a job.   Phillip (04:38) Yeah, look, all the time, you know, there's no secrets. I started the company in 2002, I was quite healthy, and fit over the years, before you knew it, I'd put on, you know, when I exited completely through the earn out and the whole lot and handed over the keys officially in 2017, I was weighing 167kg. I'd been traveling three weeks a month, I didn't have any work life balance or harmony, something I talk about now. And, you know, I look back and I go, it would have been much easier working for wages and it would have been much easier working for somebody else. And that's not a bad thing. That's why I made sure that all 130 plus of my staff loves coming to work and they've felt integral to the business, because the work team and staff are important and not everybody can be a business owner, but a business owner can't operate without the right people that are dedicated to the cause that are vested emotionally into the vision of the business.    So I wanted to build a workplace that people felt a part of that success and the motto has always been, the more you do for the business, the more the business will do for you in terms of time off, pay, whatever, workplace flexibility, bonuses. The more you put into the business, the more the business will put back into you because I didn't want them to feel just like a staff member or team member because I didn't want to just show up as a staff member or team member into another organisation.    But that whole saying where they say we do today really hard things so that tomorrow can be easier is something that I talk about. Everything was very difficult from 2002 to say 2014, difficult in different ways. From startup to growth to then being Australia's largest to maintaining that, to continuing the growth. But I look back and I go without that journey and without what happened there, I wouldn't be where I am today, which is, again, my kids are set up. My daughter starts university today, turns 18 in a couple of days' time. My boy's in grade 11, he's 16, just got his learners, able to buy him a new car.   It really comes back to now, you know, sitting there and being grateful and looking back and going, I'm 50, I'm the fittest and healthiest I've ever been. My kids are in a great position and set up well. I'm personally in a good space. And you know, that's where gratefulness and reflecting is so important to look back and go, I wouldn't be where I am and who I am today, had I not traveled that journey from a young age. And not just from starting a business, because my journey started nine years before that, working for somebody else, which started before that at university, which started before that growing up as a son of migrants, learning good values and work ethic and how to win with people, something that a lot of people forget today. Something that I instil into my kids, grades are good, but winning with people and a good work ethic will always beat your grades. So make sure that, you know, that to me is the trifecta. Something I instil in my kids, something that I instil in my team, is that you need that whole person in terms of their work ethic. So what I talk about now, mindset, skill set, heart set. They're the three key elements and that's something that was important to me to bring, whether I was working for so

    39 min

  2. 9 MAR

    Why Things Feel F*cked Right Now & What We Can Do About It

    Summary What happens when you realise the life you've built no longer fits?  In this episode, Andrew Sloan shares the story behind his book Why Things Feel F*cked and the personal reinvention that followed. From ending a long-term relationship to taking his work on the road, Andrew explores why so many of us feel stretched, stuck or overwhelmed and why better conversations might be the way through.  We talk about nervous systems, leadership, perfectionism and the quiet power of human connection. Guest Andrew Sloan is an integrated psychotherapist and leadership coach who works with individuals from all walks of life, as well as CEOs and executive teams navigating performance and culture challenges. His work sits at the intersection of wellbeing and high performance, with a focus on self-leadership, nervous system awareness and meaningful conversations. He is the author of Why Things Feel F*cked and speaks nationally on leadership, resilience and connection. Overview After publishing his book, Andrew made a series of significant life changes, choosing freedom and possibility over stability. That shift becomes the gateway into a wider discussion: why do so many of us feel under pressure, even when life looks "fine" on paper? Andrew unpacks the modern productivity trap and the way digital life keeps our nervous systems in a constant state of activation. He explains why chaos isn't new, but our relationship with it has changed; and how the smallest shifts, from elongating the exhale to reconnecting with nature, can begin to restore calm. Andrew shares why most performance issues at work are really conversation issues. High performance and wellbeing are not opposing forces, but deeply connected. This is a thought provoking, grounding episode about curiosity, courage and the human need for meaningful connection.   Key takeaways Modern life keeps our nervous systems activated through constant digital input Many workplace performance problems are actually conversation problems Calm hasn't disappeared. It's simply covered over by protective patterns The practical shifts that can help us reset  For more information: Andrew Sloan www.andrewsloan.com.au Warning: This episode contains strong language. With quite a few F-bombs.    Transcript  Welcome to the Really Good Conversations podcast. Today I am joined by Andrew Sloan, an integrated psychotherapist, leadership coach, and author of "Why Things Feel F*cked". Andrew works with individuals from all walks of life through his private practice, as well as CEOs and executive teams at the intersection of wellbeing and high performance. Whether it's in his one-to-one sessions or inside leadership rooms, his focus is on what's really going on beneath the surface and when things aren't working. At the heart of his work is one simple but powerful idea. Better human relationships start with better conversations. In today's episode, we're going to explore reinvention, why so many of us feel stuck right now, and what actually helps when life feels a little off. Welcome to the podcast, Andrew.   Andrew (01:25) Thank you for having me, very, very much.   Amy (01:28) Even just reading in your intro totally just aligns with the world that we are in with really good conversations when you highlight that better human relationships start with better conversations. And I felt it was great to get you as a guest on the podcast. You have launched a book in the last year and we are going to get on to that. But the last year has been quite a big year for you. And there's been changes and adventures. So can you give us a little bit of an insight to your own life of what has shifted and what made you realise something needed to change?   Andrew (02:02) Well, I think the last 10 years has been a pretty massive adventure, all sort of crescendoing in the last 12 months where I started to write a book. 2024, I started in June and then as I was writing the book, I realised that there were some really hard conversations I needed to have with the people that I loved. And so as I published the book in November last year, I ended a 13 year relationship and you know, that was because I think it wasn't set up for common connection in the world as I wanted it. And for him, after 13 years, it didn't feel free enough. And so we came to the decision to separate after so long. All whilst I am publishing a book into the world. I wrote about the breakup in the book as well in chapter nine at the beginning. I start to talk about, you know, the critical and really meaningful conversations we needed to have, to make a change possible. And then I just couldn't see my life being anchored to a mortgage or even a lease again. All of those options in front of me were a no towards that sort of being tied down to something. And it just felt energetically in my body, like a big fat no.   And I had to have a really considerate conversation with myself about what that meant to kind of shirk that security. And I bought a motor home and I am traveling around Australia for at least 12 months. The way it's going right now, Amy, it's like, it's really cool. I'm like,  is there an end date? I don't know. But one of the big adventures that I'm on right now is to take the "why things feel f*cked" idea and continue to have that conversation in different communities. And I've already been starting to do that, but also learn what's beyond what feels f*cked. I definitely talk about that in the book, but I think I'm on a journey towards learning at a higher fidelity. What does real great living look like beyond us recognising and knowing this isn't it? What is on the other side of that? Is it more a connection to nature, more diverse people? Is it being a bit more nomadic? And that is what I'm currently discovering. And it's f*cking cool.   Amy (04:37) That is amazing. And even just going back to your own personal experience of writing the book, the majority of people, yeah, the vast majority of people don't perhaps get an opportunity to do that full self discovery. So it's almost, as you said, through that process of writing the book and the context and the content you were writing about, actually showed a mirror into your own world.   And then as you said, you're now getting out there beyond what was your usual world where you were  obviously living at the time and then meeting completely different new people, new communities, new locations and you're just living out your own experiment in some way.   Andrew (05:17) Yeah, it's different vantage points, right? Of the same thing called this human experience. And I will never forget the day I had the printed out manuscript and I was working through it to work on an edit. And I was like,  I don't have this in my relationship right now. I can't have that meaningful conversation right now in this relationship. And it was as I was flicking through it, I was like, f*ck.   I need to make some significant changes here. And,  yeah, it's, it's been a wild, wild ride and it continues to be one. And it's a beautifully profound moment when I can kind of lay down those things that keep us safe, like the mortgage and the house and literally pick up a mobile home, a beautiful one at that and drive around and go, I can actually live a bit more simply than I was.   I can live way more connected to myself and nature than I ever have been. And, look, there's also some really great conversations to have on the road as well.   Amy (06:23) Because we're sold the more, more, more, you know, the work for more, the get the bigger, whether it's the bigger job or the bigger thing to always be reaching the apartment, then the house, then the bigger house. It's always that more, more,   Andrew (06:34) And the job, right? That supports it all because without that job, we can't pay the mortgage at the level we are. And we can't meet the cost of living pressures that we find ourselves in. And so, yeah, we are stuck in a little bit of a trap. And I talk about this in the book as the productivity trap and it is the more, more, more mindset. And it's a myriad of different things that kind of put us into that mode. I'm not sitting here saying, well, they all should be destroyed and broken down. No, I'm not suggesting that. I don't think everyone should go on a motor home because I probably wouldn't have a campsite left if you all joined me. But we do need to orientate ourselves in that so we can make better choices. And the first step is to acclimate ourselves to that and go, oh, I am in that more, more, more. And it is kind of fueling something in my life that is hindering presence, calm, wellbeing, better connection with the people around us. So yeah, it's important we're having this conversation about the more, more. And I think people are starting to realise, yeah, this isn't working and I feel like I'm trapped by it.   Amy (07:47) Just on the treadmill. What for you was the point that you thought, I want to write a book, I need to write a book and actually it's going to really highlight, you know, obviously a title that gets attention for sure, "Why Things Feel F*cked". Where did that drive for you come from in the first place?   Andrew (08:03) It's so multi-layered. And I think if we begin where we were just in our conversation, it was with clients coming to me and saying, I'm really stuck and I have no f*cking idea why I'm in the dark to why I feel like I am so stuck. And this experience of the sort of curtain is closed to why we feel so f*cked and why we then feel so stuck in that.   We're following all the rules and we don't know why joy and happiness and peace is impossible in our lives. That was the beginning of, wow, how do I compile something that will tangibly and practically help not be like a self-help book that just gives you the surface treatment or gives you a couple of the moves, but without the robustness that I think

    40 min

  3. 23 FEB

    Reclaiming Joy: Why Fun Matters for Women After 35

    Summary When was the last time you had a night out that felt completely worth it? In this episode, Amy is joined by 'The Jodie's', Jodie Whelan and Jodie de Vries, founders of House of Zim; a women-only events concept redefining what a great night out looks like for women over 35. Guest Jodie Whelan and Jodie de Vries are co-founders of House of Zim, a Sydney-based women-only events concept designed for women over 35. With backgrounds in brand and marketing, they've combined strategic thinking with lived experience to create thoughtfully curated, early-evening dance events that prioritise connection, nostalgia and joy. Overview Between careers, children, responsibilities and the constant pressure to optimise our lives, joy can quietly slip down the priority list. And when getting out requires organising childcare, coordinating diaries and reshuffling life's logistics, the stakes feel higher. If you're going to make the effort, it needs to be worth it. House of Zim was built around that idea - "a guaranteed good night". Together, they explore why women-only spaces feel different, what actually happens on a dance floor when women feel safe, and how music reconnects us with parts of ourselves that may have been pushed aside. The conversation moves beyond events into something deeper; identity, permission, friendship and the courage to prioritise what makes us feel alive. If you've ever wondered when you last danced, laughed freely or did something purely because you wanted to, this episode will resonate.   Key takeaways How the loss of 'joy' sparked the idea of creating 'House of Zim' What 'House of Zim' really means, and who it's for The psychology behind music, memory and connection Building a brand aligned with values and the misconceptions  How women-only spaces shift energy and confidence For more information on House of Zim https://houseofzim.com/   Transcript  Amy (00:02) Welcome to the Really Good Conversations podcast. Today I'm joined by the Jodies, Jodie Whelan and Jodie De Vries, friends, sister-in-laws and co-founders of House of Zim, a women-only events concept rethinking what a great night out looks like for women over 35. Today we're talking about the role of fun, the power of women-only spaces and what it takes to design a guaranteed good night -- and also what it is like building a business together. Welcome to the podcast, ladies.   The Jodies (01:04) Hi, thanks for having us.   Amy (01:06) Thank you. It's so lovely to see you and thank you for bringing your dancing vibe, the energy to this podcast. So our listeners can't see that, you when I dialed in the ladies were there enjoying a good old dance, well and truly living at their brand. I'd love to obviously chat to you about House of Zim, what you're creating and the journey you've been on so far and where you're heading. But tell us firstly, a little bit of the origin story and was there an exact moment for you where you realized fun had perhaps slipped off your radar in your lives.   The Jodies (01:43) Yeah. So, Jodie and I used to own a business together, a branding agency. Jodie still has it, Tiny Hunter. And I stepped back from that about four years ago. Life was too busy and I have two young children. Jodie has three young children and it wasn't too busy for her, but I know we've all got different limits. And so I stepped back and decided to have a little bit of time out and I sort of was mulling over, I was wondering, will I go back in? What else did I want to do? And part of me thought, well, you know, I'll go off and be independent. But actually, I did keep coming back that I wanted to work with Jodie again. And I'd been through the whole, you know, burnt out wellness rituals, all of that, and they helped. They did. But then at some point, I really just started feeling like I wanted to lean back into fun again.   And so Jodie was very supportive and she'd come out to me with all these nights out. And we found that we were going to this one particular bar in the city. We loved it. We knew that it was always going to be great music, but it didn't get good until later on in the evening. And also there was a lot of young people there and young people are lovely. And God bless all the 20 year old women who want to wear crop tops and have fantastic bodies. But I was just perhaps in a place where I was like, Ooh, this is making me feel a bit old.   So, yeah, I sat across from Jodie in a cafe and was like, I know you're really busy, but might you want to start a guaranteed good night out for women who are 35 and over? And that really was as simple as that. We knew that we wanted women to have a crowd that they could relate to. We knew that we wanted it to be music that you know and love. So we're particularly passionate about 90s and 2000s house and pop. And we knew that we wanted it to be a good venue.   So, know, no sticky floors, places that respect your age and that you feel like you're gonna have a good night in.   Amy (03:48) Brilliant. And what made you decide to go down women only specifically?   The Jodies (03:55) Women are the best. Sorry. I just think, well, there are lots of places that you can go to that are for everyone. And we wanted to create something that was special. And I guess, you know, all our girlfriends, they want to catch up with each other, spend time together. So it was creating a space for that, but where they could make new memories instead of talking about the old memories. And I think there's just really a special kind of magic when you get a whole group of women together just having fun, let their hair down. I don't know why, but it's just different. Yeah, there's a certain kind of freedom.   Amy (04:30) Absolutely. Yeah. And when I first heard the concept and Jodie, we'd met at a networking thing last year and I was just like, yes, he totally resonates with me on this. Yeah, you know, I turned 40 in October, which I actually celebrated at your event, at your October event, which was  amazing. So I can definitely vouch for being a tried and tested attendee.   Yeah, it was when you get to this sort of age and perhaps you're not going out as much as you were. There's other responsibilities, you know, we've all had the hangovers and such. Like, it's not really worth the next day. And I always say this, that phrase, borrowing the hours of the next day. You know, if you stay out after midnight now, it is like,  God.   The Jodies (05:15) Yeah, that's right. So our next event runs seven till 11 PM. Yeah. And we're really specific about the type of venue that we want because by the time that you've, if you've got kids, you're organising a babysitter, maybe you need help with your parents or you've got to do something with your pet, you know, and then you've got to get all of your friends together into the same timeline that it's going to work for. It's really annoying if you go out and have a shit night.   So if you're going to do it, you want to make sure that you're going to have a guaranteed great night out. So that's what we're really, we're very discerning about the venues that we use. We only ever use female DJs. Mostly we're using DJs who are in that 35 plus age bracket. We have got one who we just really love. She's a bit younger, but we still forgive her. It is hard to find good female DJs. So if anyone is thinking of doing it, do it. And the other thing, you know, earlier I spoke to that whole, just felt like I was ready to lean into fun and I didn't want to stay in this sort of serious mindset. Jodie's talked about this before. It's like, take supplements, do squats. Are you talking to your children enough? What connection method do you have with your partner? Are you getting eight hours sleep? Are you timing it on a ring or a watch? And it's like, Jesus Christ, we'll just go out and have a good time because actually if you look at any study to do with wellness, all those come lower down and at the top, is walking and dance. Yeah, that is the best thing. And you're out with your friends, you're making new memories. That was one of the things we also talked about. Sometimes you get into this catch up. Yes. And so you meet and you're just telling each other what you've done. And also often, let's be honest, women of a certain age complaining about all of the things you're having to do when you're stressed about. And so we really like the idea of just letting women create new memories. And we always say living a hell yes life. That's what we want. That when somebody sees our event, it's a hell yes answer. Like you said, you saw it and were like, ooh, this really resonates with me.    Amy (07:17) And it's so funny when you were just saying there reeling off the list, it does sometimes feel like it's a full-time job now just to sort of stay alive, just to adult, you know, it's like between the, well you've got to be getting the meditation in, and the journaling, and make sure you're moving for exercise. And if you actually look at all of the other great tips and advice and all of this and wellness, you're like, well, if I do all of those things, what am I actually doing any work or doing the, you know, shopping and the cooking and all of that? There's definitely that freedom feeling, I think, just generally dancing. And I know myself when we were on your dance floor in October, a girlfriend who's got two little ones now, and she actually said to me, she was like, this is the first time I feel alive and like me. I think since, you know, since having the children. And I think because we are in that, you know, if you do have children more so, but obviously if you're just busy with other things in life, you're constantly thinking about those things. And we put ourselves to the bottom of the pile, really, that our fun can come when there's time for it.   The Jodies (08:19) Yeah. Yeah. I think women spend a lot of time th

    29 min

  4. 9 FEB

    Intimacy, Desire and the Conversations Couples Avoid

    Summary In this episode, Amy is joined by Isiah McKimmie to talk about intimacy, desire and the conversations couples often avoid. They explore why desire changes over time, how comparison and unrealistic expectations create pressure, and why focusing on what gets in the way of connection can be more helpful than trying to "do more". Guest Isiah McKimmie is a clinical sexologist and relationship therapist who works with individuals and couples around intimacy, desire and connection. Overview With Valentine's Day approaching, this conversation looks beyond the romance and into the realities of long-term relationships; the conversations we avoid, the expectations we carry, and the quiet ways intimacy can start to feel harder over time. Isiah shares what couples most commonly come to therapy for, and why the issue they arrive with is often only part of the picture. Together, Amy and Isiah explore why sex and intimacy feel so emotionally loaded, how avoidance can slowly erode connection, and why comparison often creates unnecessary pressure. They also unpack how desire naturally fluctuates across a relationship, the role emotional and mental load play in intimacy, and why removing what blocks connection is often more powerful than trying to add more.     Key takeaways Why the issue couples come to therapy with is often only part of what's really going on The conversations couples avoid most Why changes in desire are normal across long-term relationships The impact of emotional and mental load on intimacy and connection Why improving intimacy often starts with removing what gets in the way, rather than trying to do more For more information on Isiah McKimmie https://isiah-mckimmie.com/   Transcript  Amy: Welcome to the Really Good Conversations podcast. Today I am joined by Isiah McKimmie, a clinical sexologist and relationship therapist who works with individuals and couples around intimacy, desire and connection. Welcome to the podcast.  Isiah: Thank you so much for having me, Amy. Amy: Thank you for joining me. And I'm so looking forward to this conversation because suddenly we are in February and February is supposed to be the month of love. Valentine's Day is coming up and whether you're in a relationship or not, that could come with all of its different pros, cons, emotions. And I just thought this was a great time to have a conversation with someone like yourself and chat a little bit more about some of the sex, intimacy, the conversations we're avoiding perhaps in relationships as well. Firstly, before we jump in, what do you think of the world of Valentine's Day? Isiah: So this is an interesting question. You've put me on the spot straight away. It's such an interesting time for relationships because we come through December and we see the most amount of breakups of any month of the year. And of course, so much strain on relationships. And then we come into January that has dating Sunday, the most number of sign-ups on, on dating apps. Everyone has a renewed hope for their relationships. And then we come into Valentine's Day. And for me, yes, it's lovely to celebrate love, but I think we should be doing this every month of the year and taking actions to strengthen our relationship every day of the year, not waiting for the one special day. So that is my, that is my tension point around it that We can't just wait for Valentine's Day to do the romantic things. Amy: Yeah. And I feel the same when it comes to, know, Mother's Day, Father's Day and such. And then it is the pressure if you are a daughter or a son, or if you now have children of yourself and it's like, well, what are we doing on this day? And we do put this extra pressure on ourselves. Valentine's been one. And I don't know, it's funny when you're in a longer term relationship, you glaze over these dates a bit more as well. Let's dive a little bit into your world. And when couples come to see you for therapy or guidance, what do they usually say the issue is?   Isiah: Yeah, so couples really show up to see me for all kinds of reasons. So I really work at the combination of couples therapy, relationship therapy, and also sexology. And so there's a really broad spectrum of challenges in there. Really the three biggest topics that people show up with are for a mismatch in sexual desire, usually because one person has noticed a drop in their desire levels over the course of the relationship and it's starting to cause confusion, anxiety or friction between the couple. They show up because they're in a cycle of arguments that they can't seem to resolve, bickering with each other, arguments going in circles, arguments starting over silly little things, and generally just feeling disconnected. as well. So couples feeling like they're growing apart, they still like each other, but they're wondering if they're becoming more like friends or housemates. they've kind of lost some of the connection and spark that, makes their relationship feel special. Amy: And how often do you find what they come in asking for help with is perhaps not actually the issue that they're experiencing. Isiah: Yeah, look, a lot of the time and the way myself and my team look at relationships is very holistically. So we have a lot of research and data that has been gathered over the past 50 years on what makes relationships really strong and lasting and what will predict the end of a relationship. And there are about 30 different factors that we actually measure for in the assessment stage of a relationship. And of course, if you haven't studied this, if no one has told you all the different things that we need to make or break a relationship, you're not gonna even know the things that you're doing that are really right necessarily. And you might be overlooking the things that are getting in the way. And I certainly see this when couples show up. with a mismatch in desire levels. And a lot of couples will say, this really the last piece of the puzzle. It's the only thing we generally have a really good relationship aside from this. And although that might be true when we start asking a few more questions, we often notice that there are some underlying challenges that have just been overlooked because they're just so busy, you know, getting on with life, all these things have kind of crept in slowly. And so that can be things like how the mental load is shared. can be how much time a couple is spending together during the day. It can be how much fun and playfulness they're having. Of course, also the way that they're communicating plays an enormous role in the relationship. And we know that it doesn't matter what couples are arguing about, it's how they're having those conversations together that makes the biggest difference for the success of their relationship. Amy: Yeah. Gosh, and you touch on their conversations, which is obviously something that we're all about. And what do you find the hardest conversations couples are avoiding or struggle to have? Isiah: Yeah, I think every couple will have their own hot button topic usually that they know is kind of heading into danger territory. The really common topics are around sex, around finances, around parenting and around housework and chores. Amy: Yeah, definitely. And I definitely know sometimes if we're having, you know, Alex and I conversations, it might be getting to the end of the night, just as you're about to go to bed. And then Alex might bring up the topic of finances. And I think about literally tried to go to sleep. Now is not the time to get into a finance conversation. Isiah: It's so tricky for couples who are so busy and who have children and are not getting privacy for so much of the day, but then you know that something's on your mind. We have really good data that shows couples who are more connected during the day are more likely to have conversations that go well at the end of the day. So for couples who've been disconnected, know, kind of ships passing in the night, they're off to work, they're busy, they get home. You know, they don't even really kind of see each other. They haven't actually checked in with each other. When one of them raises a sensitive topic, if that couple again is disconnected, that conversation is more likely to end with kind of tension or in a heated way afterwards. So it's part of why we want to make sure, at least I do as a couple's therapist, that I'm addressing a relationship holistically. And I'm giving couples tools so that they can strengthen their relationship holistically. Amy: Yeah, brilliant. And why particularly the topic of sex and intimacy? Why does that feel so emotionally loaded?   Isiah: Sex is such a deeply personal, vulnerable experience. And it's a topic that most of us are not taught how to talk about. know, when, when we often think about growing up, for most of us, sex really wasn't discussed in our household. you know, we might've overheard awkward conversations. We might've got a tiny little bit of sex education, but we're not taught how to talk about it. openly, we're often not even taught the anatomically and physically correct words to use. So when we're not taught that as children and young adults, we are going to struggle with that later in life. and, and that's, you know, consequently what we see in a lot of couples and a lot of people will find it easier to actually have sex than to talk about it with their partner. so you know, showing up in therapy to finally open these topics around sex can feel really vulnerable, which is why actually therapy can also be really helpful because we can really hold couples and support them to have those difficult but really important and sometimes really good conversations. Amy: Yeah, and wow, it's the same that kind of topic like money, know, when people, again, you may inherit this from their parents and it's like, you know, we don't talk ab

    34 min

  5. 6 JAN

    "If you came with a warning label, what would it say?"

    In 2025 Amy spoke to a range of amazing guests from across around the world - including UK, US, Cyprus & Australia!  This fun episode is a snapshot of the responses our guests gave when asked the question "If you came with a warning label, what would it say?" This question always gets a laugh. Ask it to someone in your life and see what conversations spark Check out all our guests from 2025 and join us in 2026 for more Really Good Conversations.

    4 min

  6. 08/12/2025

    Rewriting Your Story: How to Build Confidence

    In this episode, Amy is joined once again by former Sportsgirl and Sussan CEO, award-winning leader, mentor, speaker and author, Colleen Callander. Colleen kicked off our 2025 guest line-up with "From Shop Floor to CEO: Burnout, Boundaries & Bold Leadership", and now we've come full circle as she returns to close out the year and explore the theme of confidence from her new book, The Power of Confidence. Amy begins by asking Colleen how her year has unfolded since their January conversation, and what tips she has for avoiding the end-of-year panic if we didn't achieve everything we expected. From there, they dive into the idea that confidence isn't something we're born with, but a skill and muscle we can build over time.  Colleen unpacks the cost of low confidence, the stories and self-talk that quietly hold women back, and the importance of surrounding yourself with a supportive inner circle. She explains how to challenge your inner critic, rewrite your story, and talk to yourself like you would your best friend. Colleen also shares her 30-day confidence transformation, showing how small, realistic daily actions can create surprisingly big shifts. This is an uplifting, practical conversation to help you close the year with gratitude and step into 2026 with more courage, clarity and confidence. Key Outtakes:  Focus on what you have achieved and not what you didn't  Confidence isn't something we're born with – it's a skill we can learn, strengthen and practise over time. The stories we tell ourselves can hold us back; changing the narrative can change the trajectory of our lives. Low confidence can quietly limit opportunities, decisions and experiences across a decade or more. Your inner circle matters – the people around you can lift your confidence or slowly chip away at it. Small, consistent daily actions create meaningful confidence shifts, as outlined in Colleen's 30-day transformation.   More about Colleen:  Website https://www.colleencallander.com.au/about Podcast episode: "From Shop Floor to CEO: Burnout, Boundaries & Bold Leadership" https://www.reallygoodconversations.com.au/pages/40-from-shop-floor-to-ceo-burnout-boundaries-bold-leadership

    34 min

  7. 24/11/2025

    Freedom, Sacrifice, and Starting Again

    What does it take to chase freedom, survive the sacrifices, and rebuild a life on your own terms? In this episode, Amy sits down with award-winning entrepreneur and bestselling author Tina Tower, founder of Her Empire Builder, to unpack the truth behind ambition, reinvention, and the pursuit of freedom. Tina shares her journey from launching a tutoring centre at 20 years old to building a franchise before realising that success had come at a cost. She opens up about the years of missing bedtimes, the burnout that followed, and the decision to sell it all in search of a different way to live and work. They talk about motherhood and identity, and what it means to build something without losing yourself along the way.  They touch on cultural differences Tina has experienced between Australia and the US, the fine line between drive and obsession, and why she believes a "healthy dose of delusion" is essential for entrepreneurs. Plus, she explains why she's bringing back in-person coaching, the myth of passive income, and what makes online courses work in an age of AI. A conversation full of honesty, humour, and perspective on redefining success.   Key Outtakes:  The money hungry 17 year old that fuelled her drive The real cost of building a successful franchise business, from burnout to missing bedtimes, and why she still wouldn't change it What she learned from selling the business and navigating an identity crisis after stepping away Why Australians (and Brits!) need a "healthy dose of delusion" - and how mindset differs from the US The future of online courses in an AI world, and why Tina is returning to in-person coaching for deeper connection   For more information about Tina Tower:  Her Empire Builder https://www.herempirebuilder.com/ Tina Tower https://tinatower.com/

    39 min

  8. 13/11/2025

    The Lost Art of Thinking for Ourselves

    Have we forgotten how to think for ourselves? In this episode, Amy speaks with critical thinking and human skills expert, speaker and author Bethan Winn, whose book The Human Edge: Critical Thinking in the Age of AI explores how we can reclaim the essential skills that make us human - curiosity, courage, creativity and conversation. Bethan shares her journey from teaching in London to moving to Perth, Australia, and building a business that helps people think more clearly and confidently.  A health scare became her career turning point, leading to a keen interest in how we form beliefs, make decisions and question assumptions. Amy and Bethan discuss what critical thinking really means, how conversation can be used as a thinking tool, the role of curiosity in learning, and why overthinking can sometimes hold us back. They touch on the risks of outsourcing our judgment to AI, the problem with education systems that reward the "right" answer, and the value of sitting with discomfort and uncertainty. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by information, stuck in indecision, or simply curious about how to think more clearly in a noisy world, this conversation will help you rediscover the lost art of thinking for yourself. Key points:  Bethan's journey from teaching to focusing on critical thinking We're often taught what to think, not how to think Critical thinking blends courage, curiosity and humility The pressure of standardised tests can stifle creativity in education Conversation helps us challenge our own assumptions Overthinking can paralyse us, sometimes all we need to ask is "What's the next right thing?" AI can assist but should not replace human thinking Human connection is vital in a technology-driven world   For more information: Bethan Winn https://www.bethanwinn.com.au/

    40 min
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About

In our hyperconnected world, it feels like we are becoming more disconnected than ever, so we are on a mission to bring people together through conversation. Welcome to 'The Really Good Conversations Podcast', where we delve into the minds of the wonderful people and businesses we have met in the processes of launching our card game. We will be uncovering their secrets, learning about their biggest mistakes, and sharing the key lessons they have taken from it all. So, if you're looking for an engaging chinwag mixed with business insights and a good pinch of fun, you're in the right place. Let's have a really good conversation...

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